Breaking Bad aired on AMC around the same time that Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead was at the absolute peak of popularity. Both shows served the network well, but there is no doubt that Vince Gilligan’s story of a chemistry teacher gone rogue will forever be one of the greatest shows ever made. Indeed, the series sits at number three on Rolling Stone's ranking of the greatest televisions shows of the 2010s.
Currently, Breaking Bad has two spin-offs, both of which are successful in their own regard. AMC’s Better Call Saul focuses on Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk), Jesse and Walt’s lawyer from the original series. In 2019, Netflix released El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which focused on Jesse Pinkman (reprised by Aaron Paul) after his escape from captivity. Breaking Bad is home to a variety of memorable characters in its entirety. Here are some of the best characters in the series, ranked.
9 Skyler White
Skyler White, portrayed by Anna Gunn, and received a great deal of criticism when Breaking Bad first aired on AMC. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer, she did everything in her power to be supportive, but her efforts go moderately unseen as Walt dives further into a life of crime. Even once Skyler becomes aware of her husband's secret life, she offers her assistance into laundering the money into the car wash. Despite her attempts to have her husband's back, her efforts continue to go underappreciated, and she eventually has an affair with her boss. Skyler quickly became the "villian" of the series to some, however it is hard to deny the uncanny character deconstruction of a wife transforms into a broken woman.
8 Marie Schrader
Marie Schrader, portrayed by Betsy Brandt, is DEA agent Hank Schrader's (played by Dean Norris) wife and Skyler's sister. Throughout Breaking Bad, she is seen having a great deal of difficulty coping in certain situations and displays displaced rage and anger. However, one of the things about Marie that makes her so likable is the undeniable love that she has for her husband Hank. The couple clearly serves as foil characters to their counterparts, Walt and Skyler, meaning that they are opposites. Time and time again, Marie served as perfectly timed comedic relief and as one of the few innocent victims left in Walter's wake.
7 Hector Salamanca
Hector Salamanca, portrayed by Mark Margolis, seemed like he had no harm left to distribute due to his old age and health condition. His long-term hatred for Gus Fring (played by Giancarlo Esposito) finally found its means to an end in Breaking Bad season 5, with the help of Walt, of course. Hector, the once powerful head of the cartel, delivers one of the most epic big-bad kills of the series after he blows up himself and an unknowing Gus. According to Screen Rant, Hector remains one of the least threatening villains in the series, but will forever remain one of the most memorable.
6 Saul Goodman
Saul Goodman, also known as Jimmy McGill, is played by Bob Odenkirk, who later reprised the role for a spin-off series called Better Call Saul that ran for six season on AMC. The series received the same love that Breaking Bad did, and even saw the return of Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader for the series finale. Saul served mainly as one of the points of comedic relief in the drama, but also as the main catalyst for Walt's grand escape. The worst day of Saul's career was the day that he met Jesse and Walt.
5 Mike Ehrmantraut
Mike Ehrmantraut, portrayed by Jonathan Banks, is a jack of all trades on AMC's Breaking Bad and the prequel Better Call Saul. Mike is introduced to Walter by Gus Fring, the owner of Los Pollos Hermanos. Mike's main purpose for a portion of the show is to keep Walt and Jesse in line, however, he dislikes Walt greatly. He ultimately meets his demise by Walt's hand, after refusing to give him information on prisoners the DEA was planning to question.
4 Gus Fring
Gus Fring, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, is arguably one of the greatest villains on Breaking Bad, with one of the most memorable death scenes. Gus was the owner of Los Pollos Hermanos, which was home to a secret kitchen in the basement that was used to manufacture and traffic drugs. Ultimately, Walt and Jesse end up working for Gus, but it isn't long until Walt begins to believe that they aren't getting a fair cut. Esposito reprised his role in AMC's Better Call Saul, but also would be interested in returning to the universe for a rise of Gus Fring prequel in the future.
3 Hank Schrader
Hank Schrader, played by Dean Norris, was in a lot of ways the heart of Breaking Bad. He was a man who fought for justice, provided for his family, and always showed up to do the right thing. However, one of Hank's most memorable moments was when he tried to used stones and crystals as healing tools after a near fatal attack. Hank's death was one that rocked the entire series, and was a shock at the time of the episode's premiere. However, it made complete sense that Hank's demise would ultimately be the brother-in-law that he sought to protect.
2 Jesse Pinkman
Jesse Pinkman, portrayed by Aaron Paul, served as a partner and eventual enemy to Walt. Jesse's storylines usually ended in tragedy, and no matter how much he tried to change, he just couldn't seem to get a grasp on making it right. Time and time again, he was manipulated by Walt to stay, and in a lot of ways, the pair was like a dysfunctional father and son. Paul made a cameo in the prequel series, but addressed that it would be the last time he would return as Jesse Pinkman to the Breaking Bad universe.
1 Walter White
Breaking Bad is easily one of the greatest television series of all time. Walter White, brilliantly portrayed by Bryan Cranston, serves as the show's anti-hero, who will have audiences pulling for him each season, only to hate him in the end. Walt's motives at the beginning stem from the desire to leave behind money for his family after a cancer diagnosis. However, over the course of the series, it becomes clear that Walt's intentions are now about power and being a feared kingpin. His character arc is far from simple, and as the series progresses, he becomes rotten to the core. This transformation alone makes him one of the most dynamic characters in the series.